The above information is stated in the report of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Infrastructure Construction Investment Project Management Board ( urban Infrastructure Board - investor) sent to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on the progress of key projects invested by this unit.
The environmental improvement and infrastructure construction project along the Tham Luong - Ben Cat - Nuoc Len canal was started in February 2023, with a total initial investment of VND 8,200 billion and then adjusted to more than VND 9,000 billion.
With a length of nearly 32 km, this is the longest canal in Ho Chi Minh City, flowing through 7 districts including: District 12, Binh Tan, Tan Phu, Tan Binh, Go Vap, Binh Thanh and Binh Chanh District.
According to the Urban Infrastructure Board, the project has only reached about 49.43% of the total volume. Of which, some sections along the canal, more than 4 km long, passing through District 12, Go Vap and Binh Tan, were opened to traffic on April 29, 2025.
The Urban Infrastructure Board assessed that currently, the project items are behind schedule compared to the set plan, and there are still many difficulties and problems that need to be resolved.
One of the main reasons is that some contractors do not meet the requirements. Despite being repeatedly urged and reminded, many units are still slow, forcing the Urban Infrastructure Board to apply handling measures, including penalties for contract violations.
Hai Dang Joint Stock Company constructed the XL-03, XL-04, XL-05 packages that did not meet requirements and was fined more than VND681 million.
Hoang Ngan Transport Construction Joint Stock Company constructed the XL-05 package that did not meet requirements and was fined nearly 32 million VND.
Cong Chanh Traffic Construction Joint Stock Company and Hai Duong dyke Construction and Rural Development Joint Stock Company did not meet the schedule for the XL-01 package and were notified of breach of contract.
Thoi Binh Construction and Trading Joint Stock Company constructed the XL-01 and XL-03 packages behind schedule and was notified of a breach of contract.
559 Investment Joint Stock Company and 201 Construction Joint Stock Company both constructed the XL-09 package but did not meet requirements and were notified of contract violations.
Saigon Traffic Construction Joint Stock Company and Seafood Construction and Installation Joint Stock Company II are behind schedule in constructing package XL-01, and have been notified of contract violations.
In addition to the contractor problem, the project is currently stuck with 15 cases that have not yet handed over the site, including: 1 case in Binh Thanh district, 13 cases in Binh Tan district and 1 case in Binh Chanh district.
In addition, the canal is also stuck with low-voltage and medium-voltage power systems, transformer stations, and telecommunication cables installed along the power poles along the canal. These technical infrastructure needs to be relocated soon to ensure site clearance and construction safety.
According to the Urban Infrastructure Board, the project was allocated a disbursement capital plan for 2025 of 3,567 billion VND, but so far only nearly 164 billion VND has been disbursed.
The Tham Luong - Ben Cat - Rach Nuoc Len canal renovation project includes the following main items: building concrete embankments on both banks, dredging the canal bed, building a 7-12 m wide parallel road, installing drainage, lighting, and tree systems; building 19 drainage culverts, 12 boat docks, and 3 bridge over the canal.
When completed, the project will drain water for about 15,000 hectares, reduce flooding, improve traffic in the area, reduce pressure on National Highway 1 and promote waterway transport connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Long An, Binh Duong and Dong Nai.
